NWRA partners with Orion Talent to bring veterans into waste industry

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, has partnered with Cary, North Carolina-based Orion Talent to close the labor shortage in the waste and recycling industry through the recruitment of veterans. Orion Talent is the nation’s largest military and industry-experienced recruitment firm.

“By 2026, the solid waste collection industry will have 14,200 new jobs for collection drivers and riders; 1,900 new jobs for diesel service technicians and mechanics; and 300 new jobs for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers. I am proud that NWRA has partnered with Orion Talent to help us attract veterans to our industry,” Darrell Smith, NWRA president and CEO, says.

Driving for the waste and recycling industry offers a number of benefits, according to the NWRA, including rising wages, a five-day work week, set daily work schedules, and the ability to return home at the end of each day’s shift unlike some careers in the long-haul field.

Despite the benefits, the NWRA says the industry has struggled to find enough commercial driver's licensed (CDL) drivers.

“The waste and recycling industry has experienced a growing labor shortage over the past several years. A tightening labor market with more job openings than potential qualified employees will only exacerbate the situation as demand for these positions grows,” Smith says.

Orion Talent Senior Vice President of Strategic Programs David Coe agrees that the military community can add value to the waste and recycling services industry.

“Military veterans possess many technical, skilled trade, maintenance and of course leadership/team building skills that have been immediately transferable to the waste and recycling industry for many years,” Coe says. “We are thrilled to be partnered with the NWRA and its member organizations to help connect these great candidates with terrific companies who need quality talent in order to grow.”

Through this partnership, Orion Talent and NWRA will provide direct access to military veteran job seekers for association members, enable member organizations to direct market to the military talent community, and leverage accredited training programs that help employers learn best practices for the hiring and retention of veterans.